Adenocarcinoma NSC Lung Cancer Stage 3. Advice? Success stories?

Posted by detroitmom23 @detroitmom23, Feb 7, 2023

I recently found out that I have stage 3 adenocarcinoma NSCLC with mass in lung and spread to lymph nodes in neck, they want to do four rounds of chemo and if shrunk enough possibly radiation afterwards. I have asked them not to give me a prognosis because my fragile mind can’t handle it.
My first chemo treatment is tomorrow and I’m a nervous wreck. Any advice on getting through it?
Any success stories would be SO welcome right now.

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@soupycampbell

Just reading this now. Did you have treatments? I have it in my upper lung and another in my lower. The upper is right close to the Aorta and the other to a lymph node. I have opted not to have treatment as it would be aggressive radiation and chemo. I would like to keep my quality of life opposed to laying around being sick. I’m told months to a year or possibly more as I’m a pretty healthy 85 year old. Just had a brain scan as I am having headaches ever since the bronchoscopy, and he wants to make sure hasn’t gone to the brain.

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Yes, I had treatments. I had a grandchild on the way and I needed to fight hard so we started chemo immediately. After six rounds and no results I was a good candidate for Opdivo immunotherapy. The Opdivo started working within six weeks. I’ll probably never be cancer free but the tumors are not progressing.

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@katiesue

Yes, I had treatments. I had a grandchild on the way and I needed to fight hard so we started chemo immediately. After six rounds and no results I was a good candidate for Opdivo immunotherapy. The Opdivo started working within six weeks. I’ll probably never be cancer free but the tumors are not progressing.

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That’s great. Keep going!
🙏💕

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I’m a survivor of 4 years and prognosis was 3 months maybe 1 1/2 yrs. Still going strong. Good luck and have the faith.

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The latest on my husbands stage 4a lung cancer. When he said that he could not breathe went went to the ER. He was diagnosed with an embolism on the artery leading to his lung. Admitted and the next 7 days went on blood thinner, oxygen, and steroids for continued lung inflammation. He is now home, not being treated for cancer, on 2 liters of 24/7 oxygen. He will have a CT within a few weeks to determine the status of his cancer, blood clots and inflammation. He has great difficulty catching his breath after walking 10-25 steps even with the oxygen.

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@millie5737

The latest on my husbands stage 4a lung cancer. When he said that he could not breathe went went to the ER. He was diagnosed with an embolism on the artery leading to his lung. Admitted and the next 7 days went on blood thinner, oxygen, and steroids for continued lung inflammation. He is now home, not being treated for cancer, on 2 liters of 24/7 oxygen. He will have a CT within a few weeks to determine the status of his cancer, blood clots and inflammation. He has great difficulty catching his breath after walking 10-25 steps even with the oxygen.

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@millie5737, I'm so sorry to hear that your husband is still struggling. You both need some good news, hopefully that comes soon, as you are overdue! I'm glad that you took him to the ER, not being to breathe is scary. Don't be afraid to take him back as needed. He's been through a lot, and it'll take time for recovery. Hopefully you start seeing that soon! How are his spirits? Is he holding up emotionally? It's so hard to not feel well week after week, and I'm sure it's hard for you to watch too.

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@lls8000

@millie5737, I'm so sorry to hear that your husband is still struggling. You both need some good news, hopefully that comes soon, as you are overdue! I'm glad that you took him to the ER, not being to breathe is scary. Don't be afraid to take him back as needed. He's been through a lot, and it'll take time for recovery. Hopefully you start seeing that soon! How are his spirits? Is he holding up emotionally? It's so hard to not feel well week after week, and I'm sure it's hard for you to watch too.

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Thank you for you continued positive kind words. His spirits remain good. He avoids any “real life talk” with me. No need for me to be specific, it’s just that sometimes I feel that he is in denial. I have a need to get a few things out in the open and I suppose that is my issue and not his. I am frightened when his oxygen levels go way down with a minimal amount of exertion. He refuses to cancel a long plane trip to see one of our sons and his family. We are seasoned travelers but never with oxygen, wheelchairs, and with cancer, blood clots and lung inflammation. Am trying to be strong and support his wishes. It’s his life, his cancer, and I am not his mother.

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@millie5737

Thank you for you continued positive kind words. His spirits remain good. He avoids any “real life talk” with me. No need for me to be specific, it’s just that sometimes I feel that he is in denial. I have a need to get a few things out in the open and I suppose that is my issue and not his. I am frightened when his oxygen levels go way down with a minimal amount of exertion. He refuses to cancel a long plane trip to see one of our sons and his family. We are seasoned travelers but never with oxygen, wheelchairs, and with cancer, blood clots and lung inflammation. Am trying to be strong and support his wishes. It’s his life, his cancer, and I am not his mother.

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Hugs to you! You have a lot to manage, and these conversations aren’t easy to get started. He’s likely always felt that he needs to be strong.
He may need the upcoming trip as something to look forward to also. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially with logistics of traveling.

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@katiesue

Success stories: I was given six to eight months. THAT WAS 6 1/2 YEARS AGO. Stage IV adenocarcinoma. Metastasized to brain and adrenal glands. Don’t ever give up.

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You just made me so happy for the first time in weeks! My husband has been wanting to give up, but you, you had a similar diagnosis and survived! I am going to share your story with him. I know it will inspire him as it did me, the wife and caregiver who battles beside him. I pray Mayo can do for him what they did for you as our one-horse, one hospital/clinic, and outsourced oncology and radiation facilities failed him miserably. Blessings to you!

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@angel42

You just made me so happy for the first time in weeks! My husband has been wanting to give up, but you, you had a similar diagnosis and survived! I am going to share your story with him. I know it will inspire him as it did me, the wife and caregiver who battles beside him. I pray Mayo can do for him what they did for you as our one-horse, one hospital/clinic, and outsourced oncology and radiation facilities failed him miserably. Blessings to you!

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A friend recommended the book "Chris beat Cancer". Just started reading it.
He was stage 3.
Another viewpoint.
Harry

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@angel42

You just made me so happy for the first time in weeks! My husband has been wanting to give up, but you, you had a similar diagnosis and survived! I am going to share your story with him. I know it will inspire him as it did me, the wife and caregiver who battles beside him. I pray Mayo can do for him what they did for you as our one-horse, one hospital/clinic, and outsourced oncology and radiation facilities failed him miserably. Blessings to you!

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I had fourth stage Rectal Cancer, I know not the same, but I thought important to let you know that cancers can be cured today. I had months of chemo and now have been ckean forn10+ years.
So, bottom line NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.

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